Hydrofarm Hydroton GMHT10L Hydroponic Grow Rocks, 10 Liter Bag (Discontinued by, 10-Liter, Brown

This is an interesting product that appears to be some sort of expanded, heat-treated rock or clay in the form of little balls. I potted one of my standard cattleyas in it and it is already (after only a week or 10 days) sending out huge, fat roots into the product. If you've had trouble with root rot due to soggy potting mix I would highly recommend this product; the little balls soak up water just like terra cotta or broken brick and then release it in the form of humidity so there is no sogginess at all. It also won't support insects like fungus gnats as an organic mix can. I understand that hydroponic growers also use this, but I'm just using it as a normal potting mix for cattleya alliance orchids. I do recommend soaking and rinsing it before use, because it does seem a little dusty. It is also surprisingly light and will actually float in a bucket of water, so you may want to use a heavier rock as a top dressing on the pot if you water by dunking your pots. Update: I continue to like this product really well. All of the orchids I've put in it have done well (with the exception of a very fussy C. aclandiae hybrid that doesn't really seem to like any potting mix I've tried.) Just be aware that you'll need to keep to a good fertilizing schedule since this product contains no nutrition for the plant. Also, I find it works best with terra cotta pots rather than plastic because the plastic pots can "sweat" and retain too much moisture. Update 5/28/12: This continues to perform. I especially like that I can repot without the tedious and often damaging picking of all the old mix off the roots. Since this isn't organic, it doesn't need to be removed. All I do is bash some holes in the old terra cotta pot with a hammer and then place the old pot--orchid, hydroton, and all--into the new pot with as much new hydroton as needed. The orchid will quickly send roots into the new hydroton while continuing to maintain its existing root system. So easy on both me and the orchid! If I am using a deep pot that might develop a wet spot at the bottom, I just put a big chunk of broken terra cotta at the bottom for extra drainage. If I am using a small pot that might dry out too quickly, I line it with some pieces torn from one of those coconut fiber hanging basket liners. As I write this, an orchid I recently repotted is sending out a fat new growth. That says it all. Buy this product.

These work great for hydroponics and growing shrooms. It alows a stable place to put plants for rooting or pots so parts of the plant that should not be in water/soil dont deie in water this is a huge bag and a great price. Its kind of heavy i dont remember the precise weight but i remember its heavy. Great deal over smaller bags with huge prices. I got just what was described even the picture of the bag is the same.

Excellent growing medium for my leafy green aeroponic vegetables last summer. The clay pieces are completely solid, and hold just enough moisture for my timed water distribution. Just be sure to rinse the hydroton with water for about 10 minutes with a garden hose. There is a bit of powder that needs to be drained from the pebbles first if you're using a water pump, or don't want any silt clouding up your reservoir. This material works great for netty pots.

Many other reviewers stated that they received sub-standard knock-off product in their order so I will fess up and say that I don't know if I'd know the good from the bad. What I received seems perfectly acceptable. There is a range of sizes but not a very wide range, very few broken or mishap pen ones, and they do their intended job. I use them in net pots for hydroponic greens and they work well.

I have to admit that I was completely surprised at these rocks. I had an phal orchid that was on the brink of death. I soaked these little rocks overnight, said a silent prayer and put my dying orchid in my clear starbucks cup via semi hydro method. Six months later, my orchid looks pretty good. Although it did not get any flowers yet, it so far has produced two flower spikes. Boom. Get a bag!

Ok product. I did receive the pictured item. Very dirty. Was very late to get here. Not sure if I would buy again. I contacted company and only response was an automatic reply.

I keep alot of different reptiles and arachnids and keeping the enclosures humid has been a struggle. Foggers are expensive when you start getting into multiple tanks etc. For example, in a 20gallon tank I put a 1.5 in layer of clay balls, added water to cover half of them. Then cut a piece of screen to cover the top of them( helps seperate the clay balls from your substrate) and added my substrate which was a layer of peat moss and wood chips. The clay balls in the bottom help keep the humidity consistently higher without creating a soggy environment. Ordering these is alot more affordable than purchasing them at a specialty pet store if you have more than one enclosure. These truly are great!!

I am using this as a decoration on the top of the soil for indoor plant containers. I saw it in planters on a trip to Paris, hunted it down there, got the name, and ordered it from Amazon when I got home. I like how it looks. Sort of sixties retro. I agree with other reviewers that it is dusty when first taken out, but that was not a problem for me.If you use it as I am, leave room at the top of the planter, so the balls are set low and don't roll out.I will try it as a planting medium for orchids, but have not yet done so.